Paid in full: ‘In God We Trust’ signs

Citizens have donated the $4,812 needed for the “In God We Trust” signs for two Anderson County buildings and the order is being placed.

by Donna Smith/Staff

Citizens have donated the $4,812 needed for the “In God We Trust” signs for two Anderson County buildings and the order is being placed.

Anderson County Purchasing Agent Pamela Cotham said Monday that she was in the process of ordering the signs for the Courthouse in Clinton and General Sessions Court in Oak Ridge. County Commission approved a bid by Island Home Granite Signs & Monument in Knoxville. She said company representatives told her the signs would come in within about two weeks. The company would then install the signs.

Resident Lynn Byrge said Monday that the newly formed In God We Trust committee received donations of $4,812 to pay for the signs and presented it to the county budget office on Friday. The money was received through a bank account the new nonprofit set up at TnBank of Oak Ridge.

The issue was a controversial one with county commissioners discussing it for five meetings earlier this year — with many citizens offering their opinions.

Anderson County General Sesions Judge Ron Murch asked the Commission to put a sign with the motto on the General Sessions II courtroom he presides over. That building, located across the Oak Ridge Turnpike from Cheyenne Diagnostic Center is rented by the county government from Tony Cappiello, who also agreed to Murch’s request. The sign above the courtoom will be made of metal to go along with the metal building.